Assessment of self-perceived clinical competency among undergraduate Nursing students at Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Clinical competence is an important component in nursing education, confirming that students are equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to provide safe and effective patient care. Self-perceived clinical competency reveals how students rate their own skills and abilities in different clinical areas. Understanding how students recognize their own skills can provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of nursing education programs and help identify the areas that need further development. This Study aimed to assess the self–perceived clinical competency among undergraduate nursing students in Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The study has utilized a quantitative research approach. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 undergraduate nursing students using a validated clinical competency questionnaire. The questionnaire included 48 questions under the 4 domains, including professional nursing behaviors, general performances, core nursing skills, and advanced nursing skills. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (version 26) to do a descriptive analysis and to compare associations between the clinical competency and demographic variables. The majority of the participants were females (69.2%). The overall CCQ mean score was 3.78, and it indicated that the students had moderate confidence in clinical competency. Meanwhile, the advanced nursing skill is identified as the weakest area. Significant differences were observed in clinical competency levels based on age group, ethnicity, and academic years. However, no significant difference was found based on gender. This study revealed that students have a positive level of confidence in their clinical practices in different areas. Notably, they showed the highest confidence in general clinical skills, while clear significant gaps in advanced skills areas. These results highlight a need for targeted educational interventions and practical training developments, especially in advanced nursing skills, which include emergency and critical care nursing skills, to ensure that nursing students are well prepared to meet clinical demands upon graduation and to enhance their readiness as future nurses.